Jan 19, 2018
This is too good not to share!
I saw a revolving door, going around and around. People stepped into it,
went around, then stepped out. The door kept revolving around and around.
Again, people stepped into it, went around, then stepped out.

But wait …. I noticed something quite strange. These were not different people.
Instead, the very same people kept stepping in and out, over and over again.
How ridiculous- like what is wrong with these people!

Revelation. The revolving door represents a double mindedness. James 1:6-8
It’s the “I can…..I can’t; I will…..I won’t…..Yes….No.” thought process.
It is a mixture of uncertainty, dread, and fear. No matter all the wonderful
prophetic words re 2018 – many people are vacillating / wavering
in their decisions. This is all about major stuff: family, marriage, job, relationships,
finances…To see our circumstances in the setting of current events promotes
additional anxiety and fear.

This isn’t new to God. He’s got us covered! In 2 Thess 3:2 He acknowledges the
presence of evil and the rampant hostility….but the next verse declares the
reassurance of safety, “But the Lord is faithful, Who will establish youand guard you from the evil one.”

Read that again! It is God Himself Who establishes….sets us firmly…in the
foundation of His Word! He gives us the grace to stand firm and strengthens us
to believe His promises without wavering or doubt! We can trust in Him and be
completely dependent upon Him because God is faithful! He won’t abandon His
promises or purposes. Not only is He strengthening us to be immovable, He is
our Defender against evil, not just outwardly, but also gives us inner protection
through His Holy Spirit!

What a deal…understanding this brings freedom! You will leave behind all the
doubts anxiety and fears and no longer be caught in the revolving door syndrome!
You will go forward with a new confidence, boldness and be filled with joy and
unshakable peace! Yah…. God is with you!

I saw several brightly colored parrots, lined up in a row, all talking at the same time. Their words sounded empty or flat, and seemed to be variations of the same thing.

As I watched and listened to them, it reminded me of a game we used to play when I was growing up.
We would all line up or sit in a circle. One person would start by thinking of a word or short phrase and pass it on by whispering it to the person next to them. That person would then whisper what he/she thought they heard to the next person. The word continued to be passed from person to person. When it reached the last person, he/she would speak it out loud. Typically, we would all laugh at how much the original word had been changed!

Then the Lord gave me understanding that this was a picture of many Christians. They were repeating what they thought they heard someone else say which that person had heard from someone else. The point being, after the initial word, there was no personal revelation; no firsthand, individual impartation of hearing the voice of the Lord. Worse it yet, as it was repeated from one person to another, it changed and became distorted!

God has magnified His Word, and set it above all His name. (Ps 132:8). His Word is the revelation of Who He is. Therefore to attribute false words to Him or distort what He has spoken, is definitely not OK.

30-31 “I’ve had it with the ‘prophets’ who get all their sermons secondhand from each other. Yes, I’ve had it with them. They make up stuff and then pretend it’s a real sermon. ”

35-36 “Instead of claiming to know what God says, ask questions of one another, such as ‘How do we understand God in this?’ But don’t go around pretending to know it all, saying
‘God told me this . . . God told me that. . . .’ I don’t want to hear it anymore. Only the person I authorize speaks for me. Otherwise, my Message gets twisted, the Message of the living God-of-the-Angel-Armies.”

We are living in a time the prophetic is really on the front line. It is one of the power keys of bringing in the harvest. Therefore, I believe this is a heads up from God not to be gullible and easily deceived by false words. Consider carefully what you hear (Mark 4:24) and what you speak! (Proverbs 13:3-5) Speak the Truth!

Walking with God isn’t easy. Adam walked with God in the garden, until Adam thought he could get a better deal by being his own god.
It didn’t turn out well, and changed the path we must walk on today.

Amazingly, God still wants us to walk with Him. His requirements
haven’t changed. He continues to look for a pure heart; one completely sold out to Him in everything. We sing songs about God being our Everything; our All in All.

One look at our calendar, check book, or credit card
statement quickly reveals what holds our time and money. Rarely is it God.

Typically, in a crisis or the midst of some storm we suddenly realize how
much or little genuine relationship we have with the Lord. The worse scenario
would be to call out “Lord, Lord” and He replies: “Who are you? I don’t
recognize your voice.”

When His will truly is our will, we see things about ourselves and others we
had never noticed. This is when our heart is broken for the things we know
have touched God’s heart. A new level or depth of compassion awakens our
heart to do something about what we see that is wrong. Unfortunately, the
injustice, unfairness, unforgiveness etc mount up against weak structures of
peoples faith and beliefs which, eventually, fall to the ground, victims of doubt
and unbelief.

This is when I saw a “bone junk yard”. Right out of Ezekiel (37:4) there came
the command “Oh dry bones, hear the Word of the Lord.” Wow! I knew I was
to prophesy life to these bones, but wondered whose bones they were. This
wasn’t the army rising up as in Ezekiel.

Then the Lord revealed this was a bone yard of dried up finances, forgotten
prayers, broken relationships, failed jobs, abandoned hopes and discarded
dreams. Death seemingly had won the victory.
Yet, these bones had been commanded to hear the Word of the Lord.

Several scriptures immediately came to mind. “A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” Proverbs 15:13 ”The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?” Proverbs 18:14

Yah…this is about a broken spirit! “Broken” here, in Hebrew, means to be
wrecked; shattered”. This is a spirit that is so overwhelmed with sorrow, it has
become weak and fragile. At this point, all pride and self-righteousness are gone,
and God’s mercy and compassion begin flow into the dry places.

Hear the Word of the Lord, my dear friends. If your bones have become dry,
know the power of God’s word to bring life. There is resurrection power in
every Word that God speaks. The rhema Word, the perfect Word, for every
circumstances releases an explosion of energy and life! The voice of His Word
releases inner strength, joy, and the ability to hope again!

“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.´ Proverbs 16:24

Here’s a re-visit to one of my favorite childhood stories.
“Pig-Won’t” got his name for repeatedly refusing to do what he was asked to do.
On the other hand, “Pig-Will” got his name by quickly doing everything he was
asked to do. Both pigs soon learned the value of obedience. On Saturday afternoon,
Pig-Will was taken to town, to the ice cream parlor; but, Pig-Will was left at home.
Pig-Won’t learned obedience brings reward!

We also learn through repetition. Repeatedly choosing the same behavior
has good or bad consequences. How many times have we intentionally chosen
to do the wrong thing, even though we know it’s not the best or right thing.
The struggle of spirit overriding the flesh doesn’t just happen. It is learned.
Repeat: It is learned!

Look at this: “…though He (Jesus) was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the
things which He suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8)
This is one of the those scriptures I read and keep on reading. Until now.

Start with the understanding Jesus lived His life in the flesh to set an example for
us to follow. If He learned obedience through suffering, guess what? That is how
we will also learn.

The word “learned” here in the Greek means to experience. We can all talk about
what it means to be obedient, but until we are actually tested on it, we really don’t
know what obedience really is

Throughout all the trials of being betrayed, mocked, beaten and crucified, Jesus
experienced the demands of genuine obedience – ie, self sacrifice! This was not
in words – but in how He responded. He experienced obedience by surrendering
His own desires and will to His Father.
As He continued to submit to His Father’s will, He was rewarded with increased
faith. It was with the eyes of faith, He was able to look beyond the cross and see
the reward of enduring all His suffering. The joy set before Him was knowing He
was the Atonement that would reconcile man back to God. He was the First Born
and Author of our salvation! He is rewarded now to sit enthroned at the right
hand of His Father.

In like manner, our faith will not increase without testing. (Hebrew 12:5-8)
Why do you call Me Lord, when you won’t obey Me? (Luke 6:46)
Our obedience to God can’t be faked. It comes from the realization of His great
love for us while we were still sinners. Our obedience then is an expression of our
thankfulness for His love and sacrifice. When we chose to accept His free gift of
salvation, He fills us with His Holy Spirit, Who empowers and strengthens us to
walk in obedience. Jesus’ example encourages us to remain obedient during tests
and trials. As we keep our eyes on Him, and seek to do His will,
our faith will increase.
It’s a good day when we understand salvation is to all those who obey
the Lord, and the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our salvation!
(Ephesians 1:14)

Here’s an interesting vision I had this week. I saw people talking while looking
at themselves in a mirror; the strange part was their reflections were also talking,
but saying something completely different.

Here is the understanding.
In one moment, we call forth what we hope for; and, in the very next moment,
by our own words, we nullify what we first spoke and are hoping to receive!

Oh, to truly know the power of our words and the importance of our hope.
Hope matters; it’s the springboard for our faith. According to Heb 11:1 it is our
faith that actually creates the substance by which what we are hoping for becomes
a visible reality. This is the place of calling what doesn’t exist as though it does;
bringing what is unseen into reality. The power behind this kind of faith is a sure
foundation of trust.

The application of this is nicely put forth in Hebrews 10:23
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He Who promised
is faithful.”

The Hebrew word for “hold fast” means to “cling tightly”. Related meanings are
“to solder, fuse, glue”. The same Hebrew word is also used to describe the intimacy
between a husband and wife! This means our holding fast isn’t just casually
throwing out some empty words, but that we are so into what we’re believing, we
become one with our expectation! The overall context of verse 23 refers to the promise
of eternal life, but this same resolve, of holding fast to what we say, is what we need in
our everyday lives.

It’s interesting that the next verse (24) begins with the word “And”. This implies it is
connected with verse 23, as a continuation of the same thought. “And let us consider one
another in order to stir up love and good works…” How I wish that were true of everyone
we share our hopes and dreams with! The power of agreement is awesome; we are called
to come alongside of one another to encourage and support our respective hopes, visions,
and dreams. Separate yourself from “dream snatchers” who speak doubt and discouragement
to you! Difficult circumstances and opposition aren’t to overwhelm or defeat us.
On the contrary, they are opportunities to hold fast in our faith and expect to see God’s
power breakthrough.

The surety of our hope received rests on God. He is the One Who is Faithful!

He is well able to fulfill all His promises. He has never failed, changed His mind, or
forgotten His Words to us.
The solidity of our faith to hold fast is in proportion to the degree we trust Him.
Trust means to believe in the reliability of another; to have confidence in another,
based on past experience.

Our knowledge of God, and certainty of His character, only comes through an ongoing
relationship with Him and experiencing His love.
Do you trust Him?

Much of our daily life is lived on “automatic”. Because we do many things the same way, every day, they become familiar, well established routines.
Unfortunately, that which has become familiar often diminishes in value or loses its impact.Such were my thoughts re the “last supper”. 1 Cor 11:23 This wasn’t
the first time Jesus gathered His disciples together for supper and to break bread. It was customary for them to do so.
Yet, as soon as Jesus spoke, it became clear this was a different night.

He began, as always, with giving thanks. “(He) took bread; and when He
had given thanks, He broke it and said, Take, eat;
But, wait….tonight He said something more…. “ this is My body
which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.
In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup
is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in
remembrance of Me.”

Were the disciples bewildered by Jesus words….comparing Himself to
a loaf of bread? Or did they remember that Jesus had referred to Himself
on earlier occasions as being The Bread of Life….the Living Bread that came
down from heaven. John 6:35; 51

Did they “connect the dots” and realize that night what Jesus was revealing
to them. Did they understand the symbolism of eating the bread and drinking
the wine.? This had to be the ultimate prophetic act…a heads up on
what was about to take place. In the past, they often proved themselves
unable to understand what Jesus was teaching them.

They may have remembered when Jesus spoke, He distinguished between the
existing law – ”You say” , and His teachings – ”but, I say” Matt 5:21
Even so, it seems doubtful they understood He was soon to validate this new
covenant by shedding His blood. It appears from the disciples overall response
to Jesus’ betrayal and death, they had not as yet understood His words

Do any of us fully understand the significance of all Jesus said and did that
night? How we live our lives reveals the degree of our understanding.

In obedience to “do this in remembrance of Me”, many people reenact the
last supper (communion) on a regular basis. For some it has become automatic;
a meaningless routine, with little memory of the night Jesus spoke those words.
Repetition without awareness or revelation is of little value!

Jesus often taught by example. When He humbled Himself and washed the
disciples feet, He said, “For I have given you an example, that you should do as
I have done to you.” John 13:15
Would His command to “do this” have deeper personal significance in that
now we are like bread and our lives are to be broken and
given to others? Our life blood is to be poured out for others? Yikes!

It starts to come together when we remember Who Jesus is. He is The Word of God;
the visible representation of the invisible God.
He is the Great Physician, the Healer – God Words are “life to those who find them,
and health to all the flesh.” Prov 4:22

This is necessary food!
‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the
mouth of God.” Deut 8:3 When we eat (read, memorize, meditate
on God’s words), we have something to feed to others. Beyond that, following
Jesus example again, we willingly sacrifice our lives to serve others.

Early this morning I saw many groups of people
all holding calendars and tearing off Dec 2016 to get to the new year. Some were super excited, looking through their 2017 calendar, enjoying the different photos and looking up holiday dates!

But, other people were perplexed. As they looked through their calendars they discovered the new year was exactly the same as the old year. They were disappointed and complaining that nothing had changed.

Here is the understanding. It didn’t matter what year it was because they had not changed. They remained set in their ways, refusing to go beyond what had become familiar and comfortable. Such a paradox…they were looking for a fresh new start, but at the same time, fiercely clinging to their old ways and resisting change.

Worse yet, they had not let go of their disappointment and failures.

Resentment, self pity, pride, bitterness, and unforgiveness held them back from entering into the new year.

Jesus addressed this same principle in the parable of the wineskins. New wine must be put into new wine skins; the old covenant (legalistic adherence to the law) doesn’t fit into the new covenant (grace and mercy). Luke 5:37

The change many are hoping for doesn’t come from a new page on the calendar. As always, genuine change comes from within; It is a matter of the heart.

I refuse to drag anything from 2016 into 2017 that isn’t of God, or opposes the changes He is inviting me to make this year in my life.